Apparatus for spraying hat bodies



July 14, 1942- B. D. wl-:LLs

APPARATUS FOR SPRAYING HAT BODIES 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 2, 1940July 14, 1942. B. D. WELLS APPARATUS FOR SPRAYING HAT BODIES 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 2, 194C INVENTOR N 50a/Na. Wfl/ Ls M ATT RNEYJuly 14, 1942. B. D. wELLs APPARATUS-FOR SPRAYING HAT BODIES Filed March2, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 WAU Patented July 14, 1942 I APPARATUS FOBSPRAYING HAT BODIES Bui-ling D. Wells, Danbury, Conn., asslgnor `to TheMallory Hat Company, Danbury, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut lApplication March 2, 1940, Serial No. 321,829

17 Claims.

This invention relates to a method and apparatue for spraying hat bodiesparticularly for preparation of the hat bodies for being subjected to asubsequent operation. i

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a dependable andpractical apparatus, of efficient action, for conditioning hat bodiesfor being subjected to a subsequent operation in the course ofmanufacture. Another object is to provide a simple and reliableapparatus spraying onto hat bodies liquid or like solutions orcompositions. Another object is to provide a method and apparatus fordependably and inexpensively preparing hat bodies for luring.

Another object is to carry out the above-mentione'd objects in athoroughly practical and efficient way for operation upon hat bodiesconformed to have the shape of a crown and brim and where not only thecrown but also both sides of the brim are to be prepared for asubsequent I operation, such as luring. Another object is to provide anapparatus for carrying on such operations as are above noted with aminimum of manual supervision and at a' high production rate. Anotherobject is to provide an apparatus for automatically carrying on theapplication to thesurfacc or surfaces of a hat body of liquid or otherpreparations, particularly by way of preparation for subsequentoperations on the hat body, such as luring.

Another object is to provide a method and apparatus for spraying liquidor other preparation onto the surface or surfaces of hat bodies thatwill be capable of ready and convenient adaptation to meet varyingconditions met with in practice. Other objects will be in part obviousor in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of contsruction,combinations of elements, arrangements, of parts and in the severalsteps and relation and order of each of the sameto one or more of theothers, all as will be illustratively described herein, and the scope ofthe application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown by way of illustrationone of the various possible embodiments of the mechanical features of myinvention,

Figure l is a plan View with certain parts in section, other partsbroken away, and other parts indicated diagrammatically; l

Figure 1 is a schematic or diagrammatic View showing several of thevarious positions of trav- Figure l? is a detached partially schematicshowing of a, clutch mechanism and its actuating means;

Figure 2 is a front elevation, certain parts being broken away, otherparts being shown in central vertical section and other parts beingindicated diagrammmatically;

Figure 3 is an elevation as seen from the rear in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a circuit diagram of heater elements and their controls.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

In order better to'illustrate certain ofthe various features of myinvention, let it be assumed that the hat body, generally indicated inthe drawings by the reference character I0, is at that stage of itsmanufacture where it is about to be lured and Where it has already beengiven a shape to provide it with a crown C and a brim B, the outersurface of the crown and both faces, usually referred to as the upperbrim and under brim, of the brim are to be prepared for the subsequentoperation, such as luring. Preferably the hat body is mounted upon ablock II which is received Within the crown C which snugly conforms tothe shape and contour of the block and by way'of the block I I I supportthe hot body for rotation preferably about a horizontal axis, as isbetter shown in Figures 2 and` 3.

Such support I may achieve in any suitable way as, for example, by meansof a. shaft I2 haverse of one of the parts relative to the hot body;

ing a bearing support in a suitable frame I3 with suitable drivingconnections to rotate the shaft I2 at a suitable and preferablyrelatively low speed, say a speed on the order of 45 R. P, M.

In view of certain other features of my invention, I preferably employan electric motor Il suitably geared to the shaft I2 to drive the latterand I preferably embody the motor and the gear drive into or with theframe I3 so as to form a compact sub-assembly or sub-unit. Shaft I2preferably has a substantial overhang from the frame I3 and at its outerend is provided .with any suitable form of chuck construction, such asthat indicated generally at I5, for detachably grasping and holding theblock, II with the axis ofthe hat body, usually oval, substantiallycoincident with the axis of shaft I2. The jaws IB of the chuck may becontrolled in any suitable way as by the clamping collar I1, link I8,and spring biased lever I9, so that removal and replacement of thblocked hat body may be conveniently and readily achieved, withouthaving to interrupt the 'drive of the chuck shaft I2.

In the prefer red form, I preferably effect relative movement, atappropriate intervals, 'between the hat-holding chuck and the device ordevices that are to operate upon the hat body and in carrying out thispreferred arrangement I preferably provide a suitable number,illustratively eight, sub-units, like those above-described, each forholding a blocked hat body, and mount them. upon Aa movable carrierarranged to move them successively into and out of operative relation tothe other apparatus. Such a carrier may comprise a bed 2|! (Figures 1and 2) suitably supported for rotation at its center and thehat-supporting units I mount on the bed adjacent its periphery,arranging them so that their chucks are equidistant from the axis of bedrotation and so that the axes of the hat-carrying shafts |2 lie invertical planes through equiangularly spaced radii of the bed 20.

Suitable means are provided for effecting stepby-step rotary movement ofthe bed 2|) and such means may comprise any suitable or appropriateAmechanism and in Figure 2 I have indicated the rotary support for thebed 20 and the mechanism for effecting step-by-step rotary advance ormovement thereof only diagrammatically, as at 2|, the drive of thismechanism being preferably by means of an electric motor 22.

The step-by-step driving mechanism 2| may be of any suitable or desiredform or type of mechanism and illustratively it may comprise a Genevastop movement, various forms of which are well known. Where the rotarybed 20 carries, as in the above-mentioned illustration, eighthat-supporting devices, the driving mechanism 2| is constructed to givethe bed 20 successive rotary movements each of 45 extent and with asuitable time interval interposed between successive increments ofmovement. During such time intervals during which the hat bodies are atrest, operations upon the latter may proceed according to the kind ortypes of operating machines related to the respective stations, and ofthese machines one may, for example, be a luring machine and the one atthe preceding station is a machine for preparing the surfaces of the hatbody for the luring operation.

Such a machine may comprise a suitable main base or frame (Figures 1, 2and 3) having suitable pillars 23, 21 for supporting suitable bearings28, 29 that rotatably support a shaft 30 from which preferably thevarious mechanisms and controls are operated. Shaft 30 is driven at asuitable rate of speed, preferably relatively low, by any suitablemeans, preferably by an electric motor 3| (Figure 2) suitably supportedin an upstanding frame part 32, the latter preferably housing andsupporting part of the driving connection between the motor and theshaft 30.

Thus, frame part 32 rotatably supports a shaft 33 (Figure 2) whoseleft-hand end is in geared connection, as at 34, with the shaft of motor3| and whose right-hand end carries, exposed in the frame part 32, aworm 35 which meshes and coacts with a4 worm wheel 36 mounted coaxiallywith the shaft 30 by way of a hub 31 which at one end (see Figure 1) isformed to provide, or has attached to it, a toothed clutch part 38 withwhich coacts a companion toothed clutch part 39 which is also carried byshaft 3|) but is splined thereto as at 48 so that clutch part 39 may bemoved axially along shaft 30 While maintaining a driving connectiontherewith.

Clutch 38-39 is preferably constructed and controlled, in anillustrative manner later described, to effect a drive of driven clutchpart 39 and hence of shaft 30 throughout a rotary movement of a certainextent, illustratively and preferably an extent of one completerevolution and hence 360, whence the movable clutch part 39 isdisengaged from the driving clutch part 38 to halt the drive of shaft30. Subsequent shifting of clutch part 39 into engagement with clutchpart 38 is preferably eected in timed relation to the rotarystep-by-step movements of the rotary bed 20, in an illustrative andpreferred manner as later described.

As above pointed out, it is preferably from the shaft 30 that variousmechanisms and controls are operated; these mechanisms preferablycomprise means, preferably in the form of' spray nozzles or spray gunsfor applying to the exposed surfaces of the hat body I0 a suitablemedium to prepare the hat body for the subsequent luring operation. Asappears in the drawings, the parts are preferably so related to eachother that during the interval of stoppage of the bed 20 a hat body,carried and rotated by a shaft I2, becomes positioned so that its axisand that of the shaft l2 is substantially in alinement with thelongitudinal axis of the frame 25, with the rotating hat bodyoverhanging one end of the frame, and preferably the spray guns are twoin number, being generally indicated by the reference characters 4| and42, and as better appears in Figure 2 they are preferably arranged insuch spaced relation that they are on the respective sides of the planeof the brim B of the hat body.

Spray gun 4| is preferably mounted in good thermal relation to a tank orcontainer 43 (see Figure 2) which is to contain the luring preparationindicated at 44 in Figure 2, and since the latter preferably comprisescomponents that include grease-like materials, it is preferred tomaintain the preparation 44 at a suitably high temperature, thereby alsoto control or fix its viscosity at a point where it flows freely enoughfor proper handling by the spray gun 4| which, as later noted, ispreferably constructed to function in the manner of an atomizer.Accordingly, I prefer to construct the tank 43 of a material vof goodthermal capacity, such as aluminum, giving it preferably suitably heavyor thick walls. Suitable heating means are also provided and that maytake the form of an electric heating unit 45 preferably accommodated ina suitable recess in the tank 43, under the control preferably of athermostatic switch 46 also appropriately related thermally to the tankand its contents as, for example, by housing it in a suitable recess, asindicated in Figure 2.

The spray gun 4| is preferably mounted for movement relative to therotating hatbody to vary the direction of its discharge and to effectapplication of the luring preparation to the dierent parts of the crownand preferably also to the upper brim. A preferred mechanism foreffecting such movement may comprise a carrier arm 41 whose right-handend (see Figure 2) has a downwardly extending shank externallycylindrical to provide a shaft-like support for the carrier arm 41, asshown at 48, the shaft part 48 being supported for rotary movement abouta vertical axis in a bearing formed in an upstanding boss 53 adjacentthe right-hand end of frame 25. At its left-hand end the carrier arm 41is shaped to provide an upwardly directed stud-like shaft 5| with whichis rotatably interfitted a sleeve-like which is preferably squarer incross-section and Y which is mounted for sliding movement longitudinallyof the frame 25 by way of suitable bearings 58, 51. Near the, left-handend of rack bar 55, as seen in Figure 2, the bar has secured to it anupstanding arm 58 carrying in its forked end a roller 88 which coacts asa cam follower. with a cam 8| secured to the main shaft 88. Suitablelater described.

Such swinging of the carrier 41 about the axis of the bearing 50, thelatter axis being preferably positioned so as to intersect the axis ofrotation of the hat body I8, preferably adjacent the plane of the brim(compare Figures 1 and 2), is preferably also accompanied by a change orshifting of the direction of the axis of the spray or dischargeemanating from the mouth or nozzle end 4|'L of the spray gun 4|. Such achange or shift I preferably-achieve by changing the angularrelationship between the tank 43 and the carrier arm 41 and may beeffected by means of a link 63 pivotally connected at one end to the arm53 of the tank 43 and connected at its other end as by a ball and socket64 or other universal type of connection to one end of a lever 65 whoselower end is pivoted as by pinv 88 in a suitable bracket or eye of theframe 25 (Figure 2).

Lever 85 carries a roller 61 to coactas a cam follower with a cam 68mountedon the main shaft 30, a spring 10, connected between lever 65anda stationary part of the frame 25, holding the cam follower 61 alwaysin engagement with the peripheral cam face of the cam 88. As the latterthus rotates, it effects shifting of the lever 65 in a manner not onlyto compensate for the motion of translation (in a yoke) of the axis ofthe tank-supporting stud shaft 5|, but also determines the extent andrate of shift or change of thatank 43 and spray gun 4| angularly withrespect to a fixed axis or plane, such as the longitudinal axis of theframe 25 or a vertical `plane passing through such an axis.

To eiect ejectiony of the luring preparation from the tank 44,preferably in the form of a spray of ne particles of the preparation, Iprefer to bring into action air under pressure, and depending upon thecharacter of the luring preparation, being preferably of the kindearlier above noted, I preheat the air under pressure that takes part ineffecting discharge of the preparation onto the hat body.

Thus, referring again to Figure 2, I may provide a suitable source ofsupply of air under suitable pressure, such as a tank and pump, as isdiagrammatically indicated at 1| and lead air by suitable pipingorconduit 12 and 18, preferably after preheating it in a suitable heater14 which may bein the form of an electrical heating unit of suitableconstruction, to the movably. mounted tank 43 and spray gun or nozzle4|,

preferably utilizing ya suitable length of flexible conduit, asindicated at 18 in Figure 2.

By way of conduit 18, preferably with a pressure-regulating valve 11interposed therein, air under suitable pressure is fed into the tank 48in the space above the level of the luring preparation 44. the pressureof the air being maintained substantially constant by the action of theregulating valve 11 which is of any suitable or appropriate constructionand preferably also adjustable, as indicated in Figure 2, thus main,

taining the luring preparation 44 under suitable pressure and therebyinsure its flow upwardly lthrough a pipe or conduit 18 to the spray gun4|,

the lower end of the pipe 18 being exposed near the bottom of the tank48 and being preferably provided with a strainer 88.

By way of conduit or piping 8| with preferably a pressure-regulatingvalve 82 interposed therein, air under pressure is fed directly to thespray gun 4| at a suitable pressure maintained substantially uniform bythe pressure-regulating valve 82 which also is ofany suitableconstruction and preferably adjustable, as indicated.

The spray gun 4| may be of any suitable internal construction, havingpreferably a suitable means, such as a hand wheel or thumb screw 83 foradjusting its action and being also preferably provided with suitablevalve means diagrammatically indicated at 84 in Figure 2, for startingand stopping its action. This valve means 84 is preferably controlled ina timed relation to the action or movement of other parts of theapparatus, as is described below in greater detail, and the mechanismfor controlling the valve means 84 may comprise a bell crank lever 85pivotally related to the gun 4| and having-connection with the valvemeans 84 so that the latter assumes open orclosed or intermediatepositions according to the position given the bell crank lever 85 aboutits pivotal support.

Lever 85 extends toward the nozzle end of the gun 4| and to one sidethereof, where, at its end, it is connected to a` link 88 that extendsdownwardly adjacent the right-hand end face of the tank 43, as seen inFigure 2 (see alsov Figure 3), and at its lower end link 88 is pivotallyconnected to a plunger-like rod 81 which is mounted and guided forvertical sliding movement in the upright shaft extension 5| of thecarrier arm 41, the part 5| being for that purpose hollow or sleeveliketo provide an internal cylindrical bearing surface for the plunger rod81 that is concentric with the external bearing surface of the part 5|and about which the tank 48 itself may swing.

Extending about the upwardly exposed portion of the plunger rod 81 andinterposed between the upper end of the shaft part 5| and a suitableabutment adjacent the upper end of the rod 81 is a helical spring 88under the expansive force of which rod 81 is urged upwardly to movevalve control lever 85 in a direction to shut ofi the valve means 84 andthus stop the discharge of the luring preparation onto the hat body.

The lower end of plunger rod 81 that projects below the carrier arm 41is provided with an elongated slot or eye 88, preferably of adjustableeffective length, as shown in 4Figure 2, in which is engaged one end ofa lever 9| shaped as is better shown in Figures 2 and 3 to extendthrough a recess or slot 41 (see Figure l) in the carrier arm 41 inwhich it is pivoted byl pivot pin 92. The other or upper end of thelever 8|, thus brought to the upper side of carrier 41, extends over theshaft-like part 48 which also is preferably sleeve-like in construction,being bored out or otherwise formed to provide a cylindrical bearingsurface 48 for slidably supporting a round A plunger rod 93 coaxiallywith the axis of the shaft part 48' and with its upper end underneaththe upper arm of lever 9|.

The lower end of rod 93 engages one arm 94 of a bell crank leverpivotally supported in a shaft As cam 91 thus rotates when shaft 30rotates,L

the valve means 84 of the spray gun 4| is shifted or positionedaccording to the shape of the cam 91.

'I'he companion or coacting spray gun 42 (Figures 2 and 3) is in generalof the same construction as the device 4| with its associated tank 43and related parts. The gun 42 is again preferably mounted on a tankhaving an electric heating unit |0| with a thermostatic control switch|02 therefor to maintain the luring preparation at the desiredtemperature and viscosity. The tank |00 with the gun 42 is secured as bybracket part |03 to one end of the frame 25, as by securing it to theboss 50 thereof, thus preferably positioning the gun 42 in alinementwith but underneath the overhanging shaft |2 of the hat-supporting androtating mechanism when the latter is positioned by bed 20 during apoint of stoppage of the latter, the nozzle or discharge end 42B of thegun 42 being directed toward the face of the under brim, the generalrelationship being as shown in the drawings.

By piping or conduit |05, with a presureregulating valve |06, alsopreferably adjustable, interposed therein, air under pressure, and alsopreferably heated, is led to the spray device 42 as by piping |01 withpressure-regulating valve |08, also preferably adjustable, interposedtherein, air under pressure, and also preferably heated, is supplied tothe tank |00 in the space above the luring preparation containedtherein.

The spray gun 42 is also provided with suitable valve means,diagrammatically indicated at 0, like the valve means 84 abovedescribed, being controlled by a bell crank lever whose operating armextends downwardly alongside of the tank |00 (see Figure 3) where it ispivotally connected to a link I2 (see Figures 1 and 3) that extendslengthwise and above the frame 25 to a lever ||3 to whose upper end itis pivotally connected and whose lower end is pivoted to a suitablefixed part of the frame 25 as at ||4. Lever ||3 carries a cam followerin the form of a roller ||5 intermediate of its length for coaction witha cam ||6 on cam shaft. 30. A spring ||1 (Figures 1 and 3), having oneend connected to the valve-controlling bell crank lever and having itsother end anchored to the tank |00, urges the lever in a direction toclose the valve means I0 and also in a direction always to maintain thecam roller ||5 in engagement with the periphery of cam |6.

Accordingly, with motor 3| continuously driving clutch member 38 andwith each motor I4 driving, also preferably continuously, its associatedchuck shaftv |2 with a blocked hat held in the chuck i5, thepresentation of a blocked hat like the hat |0 to the spraying mechanism,effected by the actuation of the bed 20 through the step-by-stepmechanism 2|, preferably' with achieved electromagnetically. Thus,referring to Figures 1 and 1b, clutch member 39 may be axially shiftableby a lever |20 suitably provided at its midpart with a yoke with which atrunnioned ring about the clutch member 38 is pivotally connected, lever|20 being pivoted at its left-hand end in a fulcrum block |2| slidablymounted in suitable guides formed in a bracket |22 secured to the sideof the frame 25 and carrying an adjustable stop |23 between which andthe fulcrum block |2| is interposed a spring |24 tending to press theblock |2| away from the stop |23. Thus, upon actuating lever |20 inclutch-engaging direction, spring |24 can yield and fulcrum block |2|slide away from the frame 25 should the teeth of the two clutch membersnot be properly related at the instant of lever actuation, lever |20being held in actuated position by a latch |25 and spring |24 thereuponeffecting clutch interengagement upon the necessary and small ensuingrelative rotation between the clutch parts as may be necessary to meshthe toothed parts thereof.

Such actuation of clutch lever |20 also effects withdrawal of the end|21 of a lock lever |21, pivoted upon a suitable fixed part andconnected by link |28 to clutch lever |20, from a recess 39B in the sideface of clutch part 39, releasing it for rotation. Clutch 38-39 is heldin engaged position by the action of part |21a of lock lever bearingagainst the side face` of cam part 39. As the latter rotates, cam |28 onthe clutch part 39 comes around and, prior to completion of the singlerevolution of the clutch part 39, trips the latch |25 to permitsubsequent movement of lever I 20 to disengage the clutch parts.

Such tripping of latch |25 having taken place, clutch lever |20 swingsin counter-clockwise direction under the urge of spring |44 to disengagethe movable clutch part 39 from the driving clutch part 38 only whenlock lever |21, connected to the clutch lever |20 by link |28, ispermitted to swing in counter-clockwise direction by the entry of itsleft-hand end |21 into the recess 39 in the side face of the` clutchpart 39, thus disengaging the clutch at the end of a single revolutionand thus locking the clutch part 39 and shaft 30 in a position of rest.

An electromagnet or solenoid comprising a winding |30 and a core |3| hasthe latter connected pivotally to an operating bar |32 which is biasedby a spring |33 in a direction to cause a stud or end portion of lever|20 to be engaged within a notch |34 in the operating bar |32.Accordingly, energization of the winding |30 is eiective to swing thelever |20 in clockwise direction to achieve clutch engagement in themanner above described.

Energization of winding |30 to effect clutch 'by the bed 20,illustratively eight, and positioned to .coact with the peripheral partsof the bed 20 is a switch structure |35 which has a cam part or follower|36 urged in a direction toward the e cam periphery of the bed 20 by aspring |31, the

switch structure being so positioned that its cam part |38 enters a camrecess il!b only upon the completion of an increment of rotary movementof 45 (where there are eight hat-carrying devices onthev bed 20) withresultant halting of one of the hat-carrying devices with a blocked hatthereon in proper relation to the tools 4| and 42, as above described.'I'he bed 20 coming to a halt at such point thus effects actuation ofthe switch |35 to close an energizing circuit, like that shown in Figure1, to the winding |30, thus to actuate the clutch 39-38 and commence thedrive of themain shaft 30 throughout one complete revolution.

With the commencement of drive of the shaft 30 in counter-clockwisedirection, as viewed in Figure 2, the coaction between cam 6| and camfollower 60 commences a rotary movement of the carrier arm 41 and at thesame time cam 91 moves bell crank'lever 96--94 in a direction to shiftvalve lever 86 in counter-clockwise direc-l tion (Figure 2) to movethe'valve means 84 into open position, thus commencing the emission fromthe mouth or nozzle end 4I of the spray gun ,4| of a substantiallycone-shaped spray of heated luring preparation in finely divided oratomized form, the axis of the cone-shaped spray being at the outsetsubstantially coincident with the axis of rotation of the hat body I sothat the top part of the rotating crown (the lefthand part as seen inFigure 2) has the preparation uniformly deposited on it.

In this connection, it will be noted that the spray gun is alsomaintained at a suitably high temperature, obtaining heat not only fromthe heated tank 43,'by conduction and otherwise, but alsofromthe flow ofheated luring liquid and from the flow thereto of heated air. Also, theemission from the nozzle end 4|*il of both heated finely divided luringpreparation'and of heated air insures against condensation in transitacross theair space 'between the nozzle end and the hat body-and insuresdependable deposit ofthe material onto the hat body itself,

together with the transfer of some heat to the hat body as weil.

In Figure 1l this initial position of the spray gun 4| isdiagrammatically indicated at A.v

Under control ofv cam' 6| arm 41 swings in counter-clockwise direction,as viewed in Figure 1, and during an earlier stage of that movement cam68 (Figure 2) through the cam follower 61 and link 63 effects such ashift or control of the spray gun 4| and its support, about the axis ofthe stud shaft part 5I, as to maintain it substantially parallel toitsinitial or starting position throughout a first portion of its arcuatetraverse as effected bythe carrier arm 41, thus to eifect applicationoftheluring preparation throughout the somewhat flat top part of thecrown C, all during the continued rotation of the hat body; dependingupon the shape of the cam,

-such a nrst or initial stage may extend throughout the portionB of theotherwise substantially arcuate path of traverse of the mouth of thenozzle 4|a which, `it will be noted, is substantially coincident with .avertical extension of the axis of the shaft part 5| about which the tank43 may swing relative tothe carrier 41. Thereupon, as, for example,throughout.,substantially the rest of the arcuate path ortraverse`indicated at C in Figure l, cam 68 eifects a progressive orcontinued change in the angie ory direction of the axis of thecone-shaped spray discharge, the nozzle 4| assuming at the end of thisportion C of the traverse a position somewhat as indicated at "E inFigure la, having, during its traverse, continued to discharge theluring preparation onto the rotating crown and applied the materialsubstantially uniformly over the square" of the crown and also over theside of the crown.

At the end of the portion C of the traverse (Figure la), cam 6| (Figure2) permits carrier arm 41 to pause or rest and during that pauseCportions of cam 68 come into effect to shift the spray gun 4| relativeto the supporting shaft part 5| but in a direction to change the spraygun, preferably progressively, from the position E in Figure 1'I to theposition F in which the cone-like discharge becomes directed onto theupper face of the briml B to the plane of which the axis of the gun andcone-shaped spray is now substantially at right angles, this positionAbeing held for a suiiicient length of time to insure' the deposit on theupper brim face of a sufiicient quantity of the finely divided luringpreparation. v

During all of the above cam 91 through its connecting links andmechanism maintains the valve means84 of the spray gun 4| vopen and, ifdesired, the shape of the portion of the cam-effective duringthisinterval may be varied if it is desired to vary the rate of emissionof the gun as may sometimes be desirable according to the shape of thehat, such, as for example, the radius of curvature at the square of thehat crown.

While spray gun 4I has thus been operating upon the crown and upper brimof the rotating hat body, the companion spray gun 42 (Figures 2 and 3)is made effective upon the under face of the brim B. Under the controlof cam IIS (Figure 3) which commences its rotation with the starting ofthe main shaft 3U and the other cams just above-mentioned, the valvemeans |I0 of the spray gun 42 isactuated into position to effect asimilar discharge of heated luring preparation, together with heatedair, and, as shown in the drawings, spray gun 42 may, for these actions,remain stationary with its axis and hence the axis of its cone-shapedspray-like discharge substantially `at right angles to the plane of thebrim B.

According to the shape of the cam H6, valve means lli) may be actuatedtostart the spray discharge at any suitable point during the time intervalof action of the spray gun 4|. Thus,- the under brim may be sprayedcontinuously duringv the spraying of the crown and upper brim, in whichcase, since ,the area to be covered is less in the former case than inthe latter, the rate of emission by gun 42 is correspondingly lesseither by adjustment of the gun' itself or by y the shape of cam IIG orin any other suitable way. Or, the cam IIB may initiate the action ofspray gun 42 only at about the time that spray gun 4| becomes effectivelupon the upper face of the brim B as when it reaches the position Fof-Figure 1l, whence the rates of discharge of the two guns may besubstantially the same.

Thus, the exposed surfaces of the hat body may be dependably anduniformly sprayed with the luring preparation, it being pointed out,furthermore, that the spread of the cone-shaped spray from both nozzlesis sufiicient to deposit the sprayed preparation on all exposed parts ofthe hat body even though the latter may be, as is indicated in Figure 1,and usually is, oval in cross-section both as to crown and brim.

In a preferred mode of operation, the continued rotation of theabove-mentioned cams may now effect, by cams 91 and a closure of thevalve means 84 and ||0, respectively, of the two spray guns 4| and 42,and by way of cams 6| and 68 effective, during the remainder of the 360rotary movement of shaft 30, a restoration of the movable spray gun 4|with its tank 43 to its initial or starting position and convenient- `lythis latter movement may be caused by having the cams effect what may bea retracing of the traverse or successiveV positions above described inconnection with, and shown in, Figure la. It will be understood, ofcourse, that, by suitably shaping the various cams, these actions may beotherwise interrelated, if so desired, and, for example, spraying maycontinue during both strokes of traverse so that cut-olf takes placeonly upon return to starting position of the spray gun 4|, though, insuch case the rate of emission of the gun may be and preferably is cutdown.

Just prior to completion by the, main or cam shaft 30 of its rotarymovement of 360, a cam |40 on the shaft 30 momentarily actuates a camfollower |4| to tilt the operating bar |32 (Figure 1b) in clockwisedirection to disengage the lug end of lever out of thdnotch |34, thecontinued energization of the winding |30 moving the operating bar |32downwardly, further compressing a spring |43 against which the core |3|of the solenoid operates. The clutch lever |20 is thus freed from itsengagement with the operating bar |32 and the latter is by the aboveactions also prepared for a subsequent actuation.

Upon the substantial completion, or somewhat prior thereto, of the 360rotary movement of shaft 30, cam |26 trips the latch |25 to disengage itfrom the lever |20 and upon completion of the 360 rotary movement part|21 of the lock lever |21 enters the recess 39a in the clutch face 39,thus permitting spring |44 to move clutch lever |20 in counter-clockwisedirection to disengage the movable clutch member 39 from the drivingclutch member 38, thus bringing the shaft 30 to a halt.

Connected to be actuated concurrently with the halting of the shaft 30is a switch |45 conveniently connected mechanically to the lock lever|21 so that, when the latter is actuated as just described to enter itslock part |21a in the clutch recess 39, switch |45 is actuated in onedirection, such as into closed position, to energize a circuit toinitiate the actuation of the step-by-step mechanism 2| (Figure 2) andthus to start the rotary movement of bed 20 to move the sprayed hat outof the spraying apparatus and to bring into operative relation to thelatter the next hat body to be operated upon.

For this purpose switch |45 may form part of a relay vor control circuitcomprising conductors |46 and |41 (Figures 1b and 2) in which isincluded an electromagnet or solenoid |48 which when energized uponclosure of switch |45 initiates the action of the Geneva stop movementor step-by-step mechanism 2|, in any suitable manner. For example,between the mechanism and the motor 22 maybe interposed a clutch |50constructed in any suitable manner to be moved into engaged positionupon energization of the solenoid |48; with the mechanism 2| now inaction bed 20 partakes of movement throughout one step, such as 45,moving the sprayed hat out of the apparatus and moving into operativerelation to the apparatus a hat carried by the next succeedinghat-supporting and rotating frame I3 carried by the bed 20.

The rotary movement of bed 20 operates the switch mech'anism |35(Figure 1) thus to deenergize thel winding |30 (Figures 1 and lb),permitting the vsolenoid core |3| and the operating bar 32 to moveupwardly under the urge of spring I 43 and thus reengaging clutch lever|20 in the notch |34 of the operating bar 32, thus preparing these partsfor a subsequent energization of winding |30 and ensuing actuation ofthe clutch 38-39.

The step-by-step or Geneva stop mechanism 2|, upon concluding the stepsof moving and locking the bed 20, is preferably arranged to set theclutch |50 in disengaged position, as, for example, by means of a cam|5| which coacts with a cam follower, diagrammatically indicated at |52,arranged in any suitable way to actuate the clutch |50 into disengagedposition at the proper moment and thus also prepare the clutch for a.subsequent actuation in reverse direction by the solenoid |48. Upon bed20 coming to rest switch |35 (Figure 1) is closed, thus energizingclutch control winding |30 which swings clutch lever |20 in clockwisedirection (Figure 1b) to initiate th'e cycle of action of thesprayingools on the'newly positioned hat body; but'the actuation of theclutch lever |20 actuates also switch |45, thus deenergizing the clutchcontrol winding |48 (Figure 2) and preparing the latter for vasubsequent energization when the hat-operating tools have completedtheir cycle of operations, as above described.

The bed 20, h'aving, in the above illustration, eight hat-supporting androtating means, may have at the corresponding eight stations thereaboutsuitable hat-operating mechanisms or machines aside from the sprayingmachine above described and at least one such other machine comprises aluring machine positioned at the station adjacent to th'e abovedescribed spraying machine so that the sprayed hat, as it is moved outof the spraying machine, is moved into operative relation to the luringmachine to be lured; such a luring machine may take the form of thatdescribed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 321,828, led of evendate herewith and to that application reference may also be made for anembodiment in detailed form of the step-bystep mechanism 2| and itscontrols. Also, wh'ere the movable bed 20 is to coact with a suflicientnumber, such as eight, stations, and hence carries eight hat-supportingand rotating devices, I may also subdivide the eight stations i'ntogroups, each group comprising machines for performing successive anddifferent operations on the hat bodies, such as spraying with a lurepreparation at one station followed by luring at the next station, atleast one station of each' group being a loading and discharging stationat which blocked hat bodies are replaced.

Thus, it will be seen that there has been provided in this invention amethod and apparatus Y aasasis in' which the various objects heretoforenoted,

pendable in action and well adapted to meet theconditions of hardpracticaluse.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the mechanical features ofthe above invention and as the art herein described might be varied in'various parts, all without departing from the scope ofthe invention, itis to be understood that all matter hereinabove set forth, or shown inthe accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and notin a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for spraying a luring preparation onto the crown and thetwo sides of th'e brim of a hat Ibody, comprising means for supportingand rotating a hat body about an axis at right angles` to the general.plane of the brim, two spraying devices having means supporting them inspaced relation on therespective sides of the plane of a brim of a hatsupported in said -supporting means, the supporting means for thespraying device on the crown side of said plane being movable, means forshifting said movable supporting means to traverse it and to change theangle of emission of its spraying device to effect spraying of the top,square, and side of the crown and-the upper face of -the brim, means formoving said hat-supporting and rotating means into and out off operativerelation to said spraying devices, and means operating in timed relationthereto to elect traverse andshifting of said movable supporting lmeansfor said shiftable spraying device.

2.. An apparatus asv claimed in claim 1 in which said spraying devicesare provided with control valve means, and means operating in timedrelation to the movement of said hat-supporting and rotating means intoland out of operative relation vfor controlling the emission of said twospraying devices.

3. An apparatus for spraying aluring preparation onto the crown and thetwo sides of the brim of av hat body, comprising means for supportingand rotating ahat body about an axis at right angles to the generalplane of the brim, two spraying devices having means supportingk them inspaced relation on the respective sides of the plane of a brim of a hatsupported in said lsupporting means, the supporting means for thespraying device on the crown side of said plane being movable, means forshifting said movable supporting means to traverse it and to change theangle of emission of its spraying device to ellect spraying of the top,square, and side of the crown and the upper face of the brim, and meansfor stopping the emission of both spraying devices upon conclusion ofthe traversing and shifting movement of said shlftable spraying device.

4. An apparatus for spraying a luring preparation onto the crown and thetwo sides of the brim of a hat body, comprising means for supporting androtating a hat body about an axis at right angles to the general planeof the brim, a plurality of spraying means comprising spray- -ing meanspositioned to one side of said plane for spraying the under side of abrim and spraying means positioned to the other side of said plane andadapted to i effect spraying of thecrown and upper side of the brim,fmeans for shifting said hat-supporting and rotating means to move a hatbody carried thereby into operative relation to said spraying means andto move it out of operative relation therefrom upon the lapse of acertain time interval, and means for starting and then stopping thespraying action of said spraying means to effect spraying of theaforesaid surfaces of the hat body while'the latter is rotating inoperative relation thereto'during said time interval;

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which the spraying meansoperative upon the under side of th'e brim has a spread or cone of spraydistent of oval shape that the brim might have, and

means mounting said spraying means relative to said means for shiftingsaid hat-supporting and rotating means to effect clearance therebetweenand a hat body as the latter is shifted into or out of operativerelation to said spraying means.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4in which the two spraying meanshave mounting means for eiecting therebetween relative movement, andmeansI operating in timed relation vto the shifting means for saidhat-supporting and rotating means to effect relative movement betweensaid two spraying means.

V7. 'An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which the spraying meansoperating upon the under side of the brim of the rotating hat body isstationary but has an effective spread of spray discharge of sufficientexpans impinge upon the under side of the brim through ut its width andthroughout such radial relative displacement of the rotating brim as iscaused by whatever extent of oval shape thatthe brim might have and inwhich the other spraying means has means mounting it for movement, andmeans operating during the aforesaid time interval to effect movement ofsaid movable spraying means to cause its discharge to impingesuccessively upon the crown and upper brim portions of the hat.

8. An apparatus for sprayinga luring preparation onto a hat body,comprising means for supporting and rotating a hat body about an axis atright angles to the general plane of the brim, spraying means, meansmovably mounting said spraying means inv operative relation to a hatbody carried by said supporting and rotating means, said mounting meanscomprising a movable support with means mounting said spraying meansthereon for movement relative to said support, cam means for effectingmovement of said support to effect a traversing movement of saidspraying means relative to said hat body, and vcam means operative uponsaid spraying means to effect shifting thereof relative to said movablesupport.

9. An apparatus for spraying a luring preparation onto a hat body,comprising means for supporting and rotating ahat body about an axis atright angles to the general plane of the brim, spraying means, meansmovably mounting said spraying means in operative relation to a hat bodycarried by said supporting and rotating means, said mounting meanscomprising a movable support with means mounting said spraying meansthereon for movement relative to said saidspraying means having valvecontrol means,

and means operating in timed relation to the movement of said sprayingmeans relative to the hat body for controlling said valve control means.

10. A hat spraying apparatus comprising means for supporting a hat body,spraying means, means mounting said first-mentioned means and saidspraying means for relative movement therebetween, driving means foreffecting relative movement between said first-mentioned means and saidspraying means and thereby eil'ect relative traverse between the surfaceof the hat body to be sprayed and said spraying means, means forstarting and stopping the discharge of said spraying means, and meansoperating in timed relation to the operation of said traversing meansfor controlling said discharge starting and stopping means.

11. An apparatus for applying a luring preparation onto a hat bodycomprising means for supporting a hat body, a liquid discharge devicehaving valve control means, means providing a movable mounting for saiddevice and valve control means, means operating upon said movablemounting for effecting a traversing movement thereof relative to thesurface of thehat body to be treated-whereby said discharge device andvalve control means partake of motion of translation, and meansoperating in timed relation to the beginning and end of said traversingmovement for controlling said valve means.

12. An apparatus for applying a luring preparation onto a hat bodycomprising means for supporting a hat body, a liquid discharge devicehaving valve control means, means for effecting a relative traversingmovement between the surface of the hat body to be treated and saiddischarge device, said traversing means comprising a movable mountingfor said discharge device with said valve means and means for effectingmovement thereof relative to said surface of the hat body, control meansfor said valve means and comprising operating connections to said valvemeans, said operating connections being operative during movement ofsaid mounting with said discharge device and valve means.

13. An apparatus for applying a luring preparation, or the like, to asurface of a hat body comprising means for supporting and rotating a hatbody, spraying means therefor, said spraying means comprising a liquiddischarge device, means supporting the latter for movement about an axisto effect traverse thereof relative to the hat body, control means forsaid discharge device, and operating connections to said control meansincluding an operating member positioned coaxially with said axis.

14. An apparatus for applying a luring preparation, or the like, to asurface of a hat body comprising means for supporting and rotating a hatbody, spraying means therefor, said spraying means comprising a liquiddischarge device, means supporting the latter for movement about an axisto effecttraverse thereof relative to the hat body, said supportingmeans comprising a carrier having means for supporting it to swing aboutan axis and means'relating said discharge means to said carrier formovement relative to the latter about an axis, means'for controlling themovement of said carrier about its axis, 'and means for controllingmovement of'said discharge means relative to said carrier means.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14 in which said discharge means isprovided with control means for controlling its discharge, and operativeconnections including actuating means respectively coaxial with said twoaxes for said control means.

16. An apparatus for applying a luring preparation, or the like, to asurface of a hat body,

comprising means for supporting a hat body,

spraying means, means mounting said first-mentioned means and saidspraying means for relative movement therebetween sufcient to effect thedesired relative traverse between the hat body surface to be sprayed andsaid spraying means, power-actuated driving means therefor, automaticmeans for halting the driving means and operating to effect halting inresponse to the completion of a certain relative traversing move-` mentbetween said hat body supporting means and said spraying means, meansfor controlling the emission of the preparation from said sprayingmeans, and means operating in timed relation to said halting means foractuating said controlling means.

17. An apparatus for applying a luring preparation, or the like, to asurface of a hat body, comprising means for supporting a hat body,spraying means, means mounting said first-mentioned means and saidspraying means for relative movement therebetween suflicient to effectthe desired relative traverse between the hat body surface to be sprayedand said spraying means and to bring them into or out of operativerelation to each other, thereby to permit the replacement of a hat bodywhen they are out of operative relation to each other, power-actuateddriving means therefor, means for halting the driving means, meansmaking said halting means operative automatically upon the completion ofa certain relative traversing movement between said hat body supportingmeans and said spraying means, means for controlling the emission of thepreparation from said spraying means, oper-- ating means for saidcontrolling means, and operating connections between said operatingmeans and said driving means for actuating said emission control meansto prevent emission of the preparation when said hat-supporting meansand said spraying means are out of operative relation to each other andfor permitting emission of the preparation during movement of relativetraverse between said spraying means and said hat-supporting means.

BURLING D. WELLS.

